Tactical Warfare – Simulated Battles

When two large armies meet in Austerlitz a Simulated Battle will
be fought. The simulated battle in Austerlitz is a detailed wargame,
where both sides in the battle receive a printout of the battlefield
and the composition of the armies, then both commanders and their
strategies. The battlefield contains many types of terrain, rivers,
woods, villages and fortresses, plus hills and valleys, which all
make the selection and placement of troops of crucial importance.

The battlefield also has ‘strategic points’ of particular
importance, usually villages, high ground or fortresses, which
must be held to prevent the enemy from gaining significant advantage.
Often the battle will revolve around those key points, with each
side capturing and recapturing, expending men, horse and machines
in a welter of blood and carnage to gain the final advantage.

Both commanders place their forces in the area of the battlefield
and give orders to each battalion group under their command. These
orders can be exact or allow some freedom for the personal discretion
of the battalion commander. They will attempt to carry out these
orders to the best of their ability, but sometimes the fog of war,
or sheer bad luck may intervene. The battle then takes place, both
sides will receive a printout of each of the 25 rounds in the battle.
You can follow the movement of troops, the slow progress of artillery,
the sweeping charges of cavalry, the efforts of the sappers and
pioneers and the defensive squares of beleaguered infantry. You
can monitor their losses, morale and success as the battle progresses
to its glorious, or bloody conclusion. You can watch as your troops
carry out their orders to allow your carefully laid plans and strategies
to unfold, leading to desolate ruin and defeat, or glory and supreme
victory!!